Heat SF Luol Deng decides to remain with team

by Elliott Smith | Staff Writer

(6/29/15) In a surprise move, Heat forward Luol Deng decided to remain with the team, per the Sun Sentinel, opting in to his contract Monday when most experts thought he would opt-out and become a free agent.

Deng's agent, Herb Rudoy, confirmed the move. He will make $10.2 million next season for the Heat. Deng averaged 14 points and 5.2 rebounds per game while shooting a solid 46.9 percent from the floor. He also hit 35.5 percent from beyond the arc, his best since the 2011-12 season.

"He thinks the team is going to be terrific," Rudoy said.

Heat hoping SF Luol Deng exercises player option

by Marty Gitlin | CBSSports.com

(6/24/15) The Heat are awaiting anxiously the decision of small forward Luol Deng, who has a player option of $10.2 million on the table and could opt for free agency instead.

Deng expressed his appreciation for the organization last month and said he would like to remain in Miami, but added that he had yet to decide on his immediate future.

Much pressure fell on Deng last year as the replacement for LeBron James, particularly after Heat president Pat Riley described him as one of the most important free agent signings in franchise history.

Deng averaged 14 points and 5.2 rebounds per game while shooting a solid 46.9 percent from the floor. He also hit 35.5 percent from beyond the arc, his best since the 2011-12 season. And he impressed Erik Spoelstra in the process.

"Lu's a very unique player - you can't put him in a specific box," he told the Palm Beach Post. "He's a great off-the-ball, active, energy-type guy, and when you have more playmakers out there, the better he looks and the better he makes those guys look. When we put all that together, you'll see a more comfortable, confident, aggressive Luol Deng."

That could be the rub. Deng might need to be assured that the 37-win Heat will make the necessary moves to vault back into contention before he makes a commitment to stay.

"We're talking about it early; I'm not thinking about it yet," Deng said. "We could go to Philly and win and the other teams lose and I'm here talking to you about opting in or opting out, then all of a sudden I've gotta get my mind right for the Atlanta series. I really don't want to go there yet. When the season's over and I sit down and relax, I can start thinking about that stuff."

Although Deng remains undecided on his option, he said he has enjoyed playing for the Heat.

"I love this organization," Deng said. "It's been top-class and everything. I've had one of my healthiest years. It was never anything serious. I've felt great about the medical staff."

After playing with the same team for the first nine years of his career, Luol Deng joined his third in he same calendar year this offseason as he signed with the Heat. Deng has massive shoes to fill as he replaces LeBron James in Miami, though he obviously won't be asked to do nearly as much as James did for the Heat. Deng was off to the best start of his career before a trade to the Cavaliers, as he averaged 19.0 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.7 assists per game in 23 appearances with the Bulls. He eventually settled in at 16.0 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game for the season, while appearing in just 63 games overall. Deng has had trouble staying healthy in recent years, though the Heat are a bit more conscious of the impact of heavy minutes loads than the Bulls were with Tom Thibodeau. Deng has been a model of consistency in recent years, and should continue to be with the Heat, while filling in his usual jack-of-all-trades role. He will be worth targeting in the early middle rounds on Draft Day in all formats.
(Updated 8/26/14)